Life sciences
The life science industry is an international and complex environment. Our life-science team works with and for many players in life sciences, biotech and medtec. We work for a varied mix of clients, from investors to start-ups, from local companies to multinationals and for various public and semi-public institutions including academic hospitals. Apart from the medical field we work for various clients in ‘white’ (industrial) and ‘green’ (agricultural) biotech. As a versatile team, we have financing specialists to advise on private equity and venture capital financing and we have intellectual-property specialists with broad experience in drafting (international) cooperation and licensing contracts, taking action against infringement and solving disputes in complex R&D environments.
We have broad experience in assisting our clients in both contentious and non-contentious matters. We understand risks and can resolve disputes throughout the lifecycle of life science products. Because of this we are able to help our clients deal with issues relating to research and development, compliance and liability claims against established products.
Kennedy Van der Laan is the Dutch member of Biolegis (the pan-European network of independent law firms with a focus on Life Sciences).
When expertise of other jurisdictions is required, we have access to over 150 law firms in 100 jurisdictions across the globe.
Please get in touch with Maarten Schut if you require our assistance.
Market recognition
The Legal 500 EMEA 2026 - Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences - Ranked
Standing out for its ability to provide a ‘broad range of in-depth knowledge of the healthcare sector’, Kennedy Van der Laan advises on the full spectrum of transactional and IP matters within the industry. Heading the practice is Maarten Schut, who boasts longstanding expertise in R&D collaborations and licensing arrangements. The team also includes Eline Lam, who focuses on collaboration and governance issues within the sector.
Practice head: Maarten Schut
Leading associates
Testimonials
- ‘The people are very pleasant to work with and sharp and precise on the content and achieving the goals.’
- ‘Knowledgeable, friendly firm, trusted advisor with a critical perspective.'
- ‘Knowledgeable, experienced and good to work with.’
- ‘Maarten Schut is the standout person.’
- ‘Straight forward thinking. Understanding of the health care landscape.'
- ‘The team is approachable and is able to scale up as needed.'
The Legal 500 EMEA 2025 - Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences - Ranked
Kennedy Van der Laan's practice houses 'an involved team with broad and excellent knowledge'. The group is well versed in handling the full spectrum of transactional issues within the healthcare sector. Practice co-head Fenna van Dijk draws on her corporate law expertise to assist healthcare institutions and medical device suppliers, while co-head Maarten Schut has longstanding experience in assisting with R&D collaborations and license agreements. Another key practitioner includes Eline Lam, who advises on collaboration matters in the healthcare sector.
Practice head: Maarten Schut, Fenna van Dijk
Leading partners
Leading associates
Testimonials
- ‘An involved team with broad and excellent knowledge. Easy to approach and very committed to the client needs.’
- ‘Good industry knowledge, pragmatic approach.'
- ‘The healthcare and life sciences team of Kennedy Van der Laan stands out for its expertise in both the sector and the legal aspects that may arise within it. The team combines speed, accuracy, and practical applicability, ensuring that the advice provided is immediately useful. ’
- ‘Kennedy Van der Laan has a lot of experience in the healthcare sector. They know the playing field. With that experience they are able to illuminate an issue from multiple areas of expertise.’
The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 - Healthcare & Life Sciences - Ranked
A 'large team with very broad and in-depth knowledge', Kennedy Van der Laan‘s practice is known for advising a diverse range of medical device companies and institutes, with a particular specialism in the oncology space. Practice co-head Fenna van Dijk is noted for her longstanding corporate expertise, advising numerous directors of healthcare institutions and branch organisations on collaborations and M&A, while Eline Lam is well versed in governance and collaboration mandates. IP specialist and co-head Maarten Schut is particularly adept at handling matters concerning trade secrets and publishing for academic hospitals and other not-for-profit institutions. Additionally, Schut regularly represents clients in negotiations and disputes concerning R&D and licensing.
Practice heads: Fenna van Dijk; Maarten Schut
Leading Individuals
Other Key lawyers
Testimonials
- ‘They have a large team with very broad and in-depth knowledge. They also provide helpful knowhow to keep us up to date.’
- ‘Eline Lam has a great sense of our organisation’s needs and level of advice. Anne ten Brummelhuis is a reliable expert.’
- ‘Kennedy Van de Laan (Fenna van Dijk and Eline Lam) has helped us, having the great ability to thoroughly understand our questions and wishes, and translate regulations and legal aspects into daily practice within our organisation. Fenna van Dijk and Eline Lam are great individuals to work with. Very professional, flexible, and forward thinking.'
- ‘Fenna van Dijk is a great professional to work with. She has a lot of experience and knowledge, always thinks ahead and from our perspective as a client and has a great ability to connect. We can really trust her advice and she is very involved with us as clients.’
- ‘Eline Lam is a practical, straightforward and skilled professional, who is very involved, flexible and always gives us solid advice or work.’
- ‘Kennedy Van der Laan has the required specific knowledge of the healthcare sector in combination with IT; in our opinion, that is their unique selling point. Fenna van Dijk’s team focuses on collaboration in healthcare and is involved in many respects with various stakeholders in the chain, such as (large) software parties, healthcare providers, but also relevant regulators.’
- ‘Fenna van Dijk has the necessary knowledge and experience. She is decisive, sharp in her advice and knows how to deliver a message. In addition, she is also able to understand risks and knows when to consult a fellow expert.’
